Ambition

Latest revision as of 04:45, 20 August 2024

From A Children's Primer of the Way

The Path of Ambition

Though many citizens associate the Virtue of Ambition with an eye on a senator’s seat or even the Imperial Throne, this path embraces many subtler expressions also. The artisan who aspires to create something never before seen; the merchant who strives to be wealthier than any other; the youth who aspires to forbidden love – all may be guided by Ambition to turn their dreams to reality. There are as many Ambitions as there are citizens who can dream of them, though not all possess the strength of purpose, character and will to pursue the Path of Ambition to its fullest, for the cost of doing so is often high.

Guidance on the Path

Through meditation on the auras of Ambition, and study of the lives of paragons and exemplars, the priests of the Way have gleaned insight into the heart of the virtue and how best to pursue it. There are collections of parables, tales, sayings and teachings that distil this for Imperial citizens to learn from. The following are a handful of teachings and sayings deemed to be essential to understanding the path:

Aim high; pursue your dreams; nothing is beyond your grasp.
Even the most impenetrable forest may fall one tree at a time.
Consequences are the price of Ambition; no price is too high to realise your dreams.
It is better, by far, to try and fail, than fail to try.
Despise the weakness that comes from pettiness and lack of vision.

Paragons and Exemplars

Recognised paragons and exemplars of Ambition include:

The paragon Tian, who legend claims ascended the highest mountain in all creation to steal fire from the sun.
The paragon Aldones di Sarvos, one of the founders of the League.
The exemplar Atuman of the Highborn, who led his people to the shores of Highguard.
The exemplar Adelmar the Lion, founder of the School of Arms and an inspiration to weapon masters throughout the Empire.

Symbols of Ambition

Both the Throne and the Imperial Crown are powerful symbols of Ambition in the Empire.

One of the most common symbols of Ambition used in the Empire is flame. This is not only symbolic of the quest Tian undertook to steal the fire of the sun, but fire possesses many of the qualities of purest ambition. It is ever hungry and never satisfied, for the moment it is satisfied, it dies. Some pilgrims of Ambition even go as far as to burn a brand on their arm or hand in recognition of the price Tian paid or as a reminder of how dangerous Ambition can be.

In Wintermark, ambition is often signified by a rook, while in Varushka the virtue is associated with the cunning fox, and (in recent times) the wily hare. The rune Naeve, which represents hunger, is used by some magicians as a symbol of Ambition.

For obvious reasons the throne is a common symbol associated with ambition - indeed the physical throne that stands in the Imperial Senate is sometimes seen as one of the most profound symbols of ambition in the Empire representing as it does the most potent Imperial title. For similar reasons, a crown (along with other regalia of high office) is sometimes used as a symbol of ambition in Dawn. This image no doubt originated as a reference to the old monarchs of that nation, and later the actual Imperial crown worn by every Throne since the foundation of the Empire.

The mountain is also sometimes used as a symbol of ambition, or rather of the obstacles one must overcome to achieve one's goals. Tian climbs a mountain, after all, in her pursuit of fire. In Urizen the astronomantic constellation of the Mountain is sometimes used as an icon of ambition representing as it does the universal law that things are not easy. In a similar vein, in some parts of the League, the ladder is used as a slightly tongue-in-cheek icon of ambition, most likely having its roots in the rambunctious street-dramas of Tassato and Sarvos.

During the Spring festival celebrated in Urizen, Ambition is represented by a purple flower.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{CaptionedImage|file=ChildPrimer1.jpg|width=168|height=240|align=left|caption=From ''A Children's Primer of the Way''}}
 ==The Path of Ambition==
+<!--fix-->
-''The general commands an army of thousands. The archmage wields eldritch power. The Throne controls the destiny of the Empire. Had they lacked Ambition, they would be nothing.''
+Though many citizens associate the Virtue of Ambition with an eye on a senator’s seat or even the Imperial Throne, this path embraces many subtler expressions also. The artisan who aspires to create something never before seen; the merchant who strives to be wealthier than any other; the youth who aspires to forbidden love – all may be guided by Ambition to turn their dreams to reality. There are as many Ambitions as there are citizens who can dream of them, though not all possess the strength of purpose, character and will to pursue the Path of Ambition to its fullest, for the cost of doing so is often high.
-Ambition is the call to action, the urge to self-fulfillment, and the burning need to make a mark on the world before passing back into the Labyrinth. Ambition is a basic human drive, and for a citizen to try to defy its call is not only heretical – it is inhuman. It is easy to wish for something, to want the world to be different; Ambition is the tool that spurs humans on to make their dreams tangible, to enact the change they desire, to shape themselves and the world around them to match their imagination.
-In traditional theology, Ambition is the combination of two basic urges. The first is the struggle for self-actualisation - the desire to achieve one's full potential through creativity, independence, spontaneity, and a grasp of the real world. The other is the urge to compete with others, often to prove one's superiority or to secure wealth, position or authority. The early Synod debated at length over whether these urges were best represented by the term “Ambition” or “Aspiration”; the latter was ultimately considered too inactive in character - too passive and too reminiscent of Ambition’s dark mirror, the [[Malign spiritual presences#Hope|False Virtue of Hope]]. The name is not banned; it is just a little heterodox, and persists in song and sermon.
-Many priests regard the competitive element as the more important of the two. Though many Citizens associate the Virtue of Ambition with an eye on a Senator’s seat or even the Imperial Throne, this Path embraces many subtler expressions also. The artisan who strives to create something truly new, the merchant who strives for dominance in his city or his industry, the youth who longs after forbidden love – the competitive instinct, Ambition, is ultimately what drives them to their goal.
-As with most Virtues, the trick is to keep going. Ambition, like [[Loyalty]], demands unwavering dedication. The artisan who strives to make something new and distinctive must constantly study and practice, and must be ready to face imitation and hardship without giving up her dream. The merchant who strives for dominance must be prepared to offer the best, always and without falter, and to take on and defeat the efforts of his opponents. The youth who longs after forbidden love – well, perhaps she must be prepared to give up everything to flee with her paramour. The cost of Ambition can be as high as the deadly cost of [[Courage]] and as torturous as the long fate of Loyalty, and just like these other Virtues, Ambition demands dedication.
-Power is seen as a worthy goal by those who are Ambitious, but power for it's own sake is merely an ornament. The ultimate expression of Ambition is often seen as being the exercise of power to leave a lasting mark on the world and the souls of other people. The Ambitious never rest on their laurels; having achieved their goal, and having enjoyed their success for a time, they should always then find a new goal for themselves.
 ===Guidance on the Path===
-Through study of the Paragons and Exemplars, the priests of The Way have gleaned insight into the heart of the Virtue and how best to pursue it. There are collections of parables, tales, sayings and teachings that distill this for Imperial Citizens to learn from. The following are a handful of teachings and sayings deemed to be essential to understanding the Path:
+Through meditation on the [[auras of Ambition]], and study of the lives of paragons and exemplars, the priests of the Way have gleaned insight into the heart of the virtue and how best to pursue it. There are collections of parables, tales, sayings and teachings that distil this for Imperial citizens to learn from. The following are a handful of teachings and sayings deemed to be essential to understanding the path:
 * Aim high; pursue your dreams; nothing is beyond your grasp.<br>
@@ Line 24: / Line 14: @@
 ==Paragons and Exemplars==
-Recognised [[Paragons and Exemplars]] of Ambition include:
+Recognised [[paragons and exemplars]] of Ambition include:
-* The Paragon [[Tian]], who legend claims ascended the highest mountain in all creation to steal fire from the sun.
+* The paragon [[Tian]], who legend claims ascended the highest mountain in all creation to steal fire from the sun.
-* The Paragon [[Aldones di Sarvos]], one of the founders of the [[The League|League]].
+* The paragon [[Aldones di Sarvos]], one of the founders of the [[The League|League]].
-* The Exemplar [[Atuman]] of the [[Highguard|Highborn]], who lead his people to the shores of Highguard.
+* The exemplar [[Atuman]] of the [[Highguard|Highborn]], who led his people to the shores of Highguard.
-* The Exemplar [[Adelmar the Lion]], founder of the School of Arms and an inspiration to weapon masters throughout the Empire.
+* The exemplar [[Adelmar the Lion]], founder of the School of Arms and an inspiration to weapon masters throughout the Empire.
+==Symbols of Ambition==
+<onlyinclude> {{CaptionedImage|file=Ambitious Design.jpg|width=500|align=right|caption=Both the [[The Throne|Throne]] and the Imperial Crown are powerful symbols of Ambition in the Empire.}}
+One of the most  common symbols of Ambition used in the Empire is '''flame'''. This is not only symbolic of the quest [[Tian]] undertook to steal the fire of the sun, but fire possesses many of the qualities of purest ambition. It is ever hungry and never satisfied, for the moment it is satisfied, it dies. Some pilgrims of Ambition even go as far as to burn a brand on their arm or hand in recognition of the price Tian paid or as a reminder of how dangerous Ambition can be.
+In [[Wintermark]], ambition is often signified by a '''rook''', while in [[Varushka]] the virtue is associated with the cunning '''fox''', and ([[Tale_of_the_Golden_Hare|in recent times]]) the wily '''hare'''. The [[runes|rune]] '''[[Naeve]]''', which represents hunger, is used by some magicians as a symbol of Ambition.
-==Symbols, icons and trappings==
+For obvious reasons the '''throne''' is a common symbol associated with ambition - indeed the physical throne that stands in the [[Imperial Senate]] is sometimes seen as one of the most profound symbols of ambition in the Empire representing as it does the most potent [[Imperial title]]. For similar reasons, a '''crown''' (along with other regalia of high office) is sometimes used as a symbol of ambition in [[Dawn]]. This image no doubt originated as a reference to the old [[Dawn_monarchy|monarchs]] of that nation, and later the actual Imperial crown worn by every [[the Throne|Throne]] since the foundation of the Empire.
-The Path of Ambition has many symbols and icons across the Empire, but one of the most common and prevalent is Flame. This is not only symbolic of Tian’s quest to steal the fire of the sun, but fire possesses many of the qualities of purest ambition. It is ever hungry and never satisfied, for the moment it is satisfied, it dies. Some Pilgrims of Ambition even go as far as to burn a brand on their arm or hand in recognition of the price Tian paid or as a reminder of how dangerous Ambition can be.
-More mystically inclined individuals point to the [[Wintermark]] [[Rune Overview|rune]] [[Naeve]], which represents hunger, as a symbol of Ambition.
+The '''mountain''' is also sometimes used as a symbol of ambition, or rather of the obstacles one must overcome to achieve one's goals. Tian climbs a mountain, after all, in her pursuit of fire. In [[Urizen]] the [[astronomancy|astronomantic]] constellation of [[the Mountain]] is sometimes used as an icon of ambition representing as it does the universal law that ''things are not easy''. In a similar vein, in some parts of [[the League]], the '''ladder''' is used as a slightly tongue-in-cheek icon of ambition, most likely having its roots in the rambunctious street-dramas of [[Tassato]] and [[Sarvos]].
+During the Spring festival celebrated in Urizen, Ambition is represented by a purple flower.
+</onlyinclude>
 ==Further Reading==
 * You can learn about the various spiritual [[roleplaying effects]] created by priests [[Religious skills#Dedication|dedicated]] to Ambition [[Ambition_roleplaying_effects|here]].
 * You can learn about the skills that priests can use to spread the virtue of Ambition [[Religious skills|here]].
+===The Seven Virtues===
+* [[Ambition]]
+* [[Courage]]
+* [[Loyalty]]
+* [[Pride]]
+* [[Prosperity]]
+* [[Vigilance]]
+* [[Wisdom]]
+===Religion===
+*[[The Way|The Way of Virtue]]
+*[[Imperial Theology]]
+*[[Imperial Synod]]
+*[[Religious skills|Religious Skills]]
+*[[Recent history|Recent History]]
 [[Category:Religion]]
 [[Category:The Empire]]

Ambition

Latest revision as of 04:45, 20 August 2024

Contents

The Path of Ambition

Guidance on the Path

Paragons and Exemplars

Symbols of Ambition

Further Reading

The Seven Virtues

Religion

Profound Decisions[edit | | ]

Community[edit | | ]

Wiki Editors[edit | | ]